Pump



I Jim; 10,. 1941. M; H.KANARY V PUMP Filed Oct. 16, 219 39 a as INVEM-OR. I Henry Kanary 7 Mark;

Patented June 10, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PUMP Mark Henry Kanary, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 16, 1939, Serial No. 299,656

4 Claims.

This invention relates to pumps, and contemplates more specifically apparatus for maintaining pressure on Water mains or the like which can be constructed close to the earth and readily adaptable to architectural and garden landscapmg.

Devices in popular use for the purpose of the present invention include those which consist generally of tanks mounted upon high towers. Pumps supply water to the tanks which accumulate the power of the pumps in the hydrostatic head of the water in the tanks. While the efiiciency of such apparatus is established, the initial cost of construction, combined with their unsightly appearance, renders apparatus of this character unsuitable for many localities.

A general object is to provide in combination two or more master pumps comprising weighted pistons within cylinders communicated with one another through an auxiliary pump which alternately raises said pistons to the top of their stroke, and thereafter permitting their gravitation in response to a balancing ofi'the hydrostatic head in the respective cylinders facilitated by the pumping of water from the cylinder or cylinders in which pistons are being lowered, to the complementary unit or units.

Another object is to provide a plurality of sepa rate pumps associated with each of said master pumps and comprising pistons controlled by the master pistons to maintain pressure of predetermined value on a water main.

Another object is to provide, in combination with pump units of the character above alluded to, pump chambers communicated with the main on which the pressure is tobe maintained, having a valve controlled means of communication with the master cylinders, respectively, and into which the pressure in both or either of said cylinders created by the weight of the piston assembly therein may be released, when desired, to thereby meet emergency pressure requirements.

Another object is to provide a releasable connection between the master piston and the separate pistons controlled thereby to enable utilization of a selected number of the separate pistons whereby the capacity of each pump unit directly affecting the pressure in the main may be varied without affecting the speed of piston reciprocation.

Other objects and corresponding advantages such, for example, as facility of control, simplicity in construction, and economy of manufacture due to the fact that most of the principal parts of the apparatus may be constructed of pipe of stock sizes, will be apparent to those of skill in the art from an examination of the following description read in the light of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view, partially in elevation, illustrating one form of my invention embodying two pump units;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on lines.2--2 of Fig- 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the lower end of one of the smaller pumps of which there are several in each unit, illustrating particularly the means for releasably securing the piston thereof in the lower end of its cylinder when not in use. p

Referring to the drawing in detail, the numerals of which indicate similar parts throughout the several views, 5 designates a cement foundation by which spaced water tanks 6 and 1 are supported. Between adjacent end walls 88 of tanks 6 and I, a common inlet chamber 9 is formed. The tanks 6 and 'l and the inlet chamber 9 are closed by the floor ID of a pair of pump units A and B about to be described. Tanks 6 and 'l are communicated with the reservoir (not shown) by a pipe ll leading into inlet chamber 9 through an opening I2 in floor l0 between the pump units. An inlet port I3 in each end wall 8 is controlled by a separate check valve l4 hinged within respective tanks 6 and I to admit water from inlet chamber 9, but adapted'to close to a balance of. pressure within the tanks. Pipes l5 leading from the opposite ends of tanks 6 and 1, respectively, communicate with the water main (not shown) to direct water under pressure within the tanks to the main. Check valves l6 are pivoted to the ends of the tanks in respective pipes l5 for controlling the flow of water between tanks 6 and I and main, said valves being adapted to close to pressure in pipes I5. Pump units A and B are mounted on floor [0 over tanks 6 and 1, respectively, with which they are adapted to cooperate to draw water from the reservoir through pipe H and expel the same under predetermined pressure through pipes IS. The pump units A and B are identical and accordingly, it will be understood that the following specific description of one of them is a description of either.

Centrally located over each tank on-fioor H! is a large master cylinder II. A plurality of pump cylinders I8 of smaller cross-section are arranged in equi-spaced relation around master cylinder I! on floor I0. Each pump cylinder 18 is in unrestricted communication with tank 6 or 1 of the respective pump units through an opening |9 in the floor (see unit B). The upper ends of each pump cylinder 8 and the master cylinder H are connected to the underside of a reinforcing roof which maintains the position of the various cylinders l1 and IS. A master piston 2| comprising a pipe section is reciprocably disposed in cylinder I1, and extends upwardly through an opening in the reinforcing roof 2!]. A packer 22 of leather or other suitable material, is clamped between the lower end of the piston 2| and a supporting member 23 therefor. (See pump unit A.) The upper end of the master piston is secured to the underside of a horizontal platform 24 which extends laterally so as to overhang the pump cylinders |8. 25 indicates a plurality of weights mounted on top of platform 24 to assist the gravitation of the platform and piston 2|. A series of cylindrical hubs 26 are secured to the underside of platform 24 in concentric alignment with respective pump cylinders IS. A pump piston 21 is adapted to reciprocate within each cylinder I8 and compriscs a section of pipe protruding from within its respective cylinder through an opening in the roof 20 for releasable attachment of its upper end to the respective hub 26 aligned therewith into which it extends. One or more pins 28 mounted on the upper end of each piston 21 extend into inverted L'-shaped slots 29 formed in the lower edge of the hub 26 with which the respective piston cooperates to lock the pistons to the platform 20.

The bore of each piston 21 is closed by a plug 30 (Fig. 3) threaded into the lower end thereof. A packer 3| is secured to each plug 30 to engage the bore of the respective cylinders. Each packer 3| is reinforced by a plate 32 connected to the piston by a nut 33. A piston retainer 34, comprising a short section of pipe, is secured by suitable means to the underside of plate 32 in coaxial alignment with the piston 21. Each retaineris formed with one or more inverted L-shaped slots 35 opening through the lower edge thereof. Transverse pins 36 mounted in the bore of the cylinder on radii thereof are spaced apart distances corresponding to the spacing of the slots 35 in retainer 4. The pistons 21 may thus be disengaged from the hubs 26, secured to the platform, by moving the pins 28 out of the slots 29, and locked immovably in the cylinders l1 by rotating the pistons to bring the slots 35 of the retainer into registry with pins 36.

Apart from the pump units, Iprovide a control pump 31 of standard design and manufacture, from whicha pipe 38 leads into the bottom of the cylinders of pump unit A. A T-fitting 39, forming a part of pipe 38, provides a means of connection for a branch pipe 40 which communicates pipe 38 with the master cylinder H of pump unit B. Another pair of pipes 4| and 42 lead from the bottom of-the cylinders H of the respective pump units to a cross fitting 43 which is connected to the inlet side of pump 31 by conduit 44. Arranged in each of the four pipes 38, 46, 4|, and 42, adjacent the master cylinders with which they communicate, is a mechanically operated valve bearing. numerals 45, 46, 41, and'48, in the respective pipes, as illustrated. As the particular construction of these valves does not form a part of the present invention, they are not specifically described or illustrated. A water supply tank 49 is communicated with the inlet end of pump 31 through a conduit 50 connected to cross fitting 43. A valve in the conduit, generally designated by the numeral 5|, is normally closed, being opened only when it is desirous of admitting water into the pipes 38, 40, 4|, and 42, and master cylinders H. The supply tank 49 is filled through a valve-controlled inlet tube 52 connected to a source of supply (not shown).

Tanks 6 and 1 will be filled by the pressure of water flowing from the reservoir through pipe II or water may be initially drawn into the tanks by the pumps 31, as aboutto be described. Normal operation of the apparatus is begun by energizing pump 31 after first opening valve 5| to communicate supply tank 49 and the pump through conduits 50 and 44. As above noted, the flow of water through pipes 38, 46, 4| and 42, respectively, is controlled by the valves 45-48, the operation of which is synchronized by auxiliary mechanism (not shown) of any of various well known types. When the pump started, valve 45 of pipe 38 is open and all other valves 46, 41, and 48 are closed. Water will, accordingly, be drawn from supply tank 49 and pumped into the master cylinder H of pump unit A through pipe 38, so as to raise the master piston 2|, the weight 25, and each of the pistons 21 which are connected to said master piston.

The upward movement of the pistons 21 of unit 1 A draws water from the inlet chamber 9 and pipe through the check valve I4 to fill the tank 6 or, if the tank has theretofore been filled by fluid from the reservoir, additional Water will be drawn in to fill the cylinders l8. Valve 45 in pipe 38 is then closed and the valves 46 and 41 in pipes 49 and 4| opened. The operation of pump 31 may be continuous. The water within cylinders I1 of pump unit A will, accordingly, flow into pipe 4| and thence into pump 31 and pipe 40- to the master cylinder ll of pump unit B. The weight of the water in cylinder H of the first unit will thus assist the elevation of the piston of the second unit until the water in cylinders H of both units reaches a common level, after which pump 31 continues to draw water from the cylinder of the first unit, permitting piston 2| therein to gravitate while simultaneously raising the correspondingly numbered piston of the second unit. Water will be drawn by pump 31 from supply tank 49 in an amount sufficient to fill one of the cylinders and the various pipes which connect the cylinders with the pump, whereupon valve 5| is closed. Accordingly, when the piston 2| of the pump unit B reaches the top of its stroke, all water will have been removed from the cylinder H- of pump unit A. Valves 46 and 41 are then closed and valves 45 and 48 opened, whereupon the pump will draw the water into pipe 42 and transfer the same through pipe 38 into the cylinder H of the unit A to raise the piston 2| therein, as Well as pistons 21 associated therewith. The pair of valves45'and 48, and the pair 46 and 41 are opened and closed alternately as one or the other of the pistons 2| reaches the top of its stroke. As the platforms 24 are raised on each alternate stroke of the respective pistons 2|, pistons 21 will be raised to draw water An opening 53 in the floor ll) of each master cylinder I1 is provided to communicate respective cylinders and water tanks i and 1. Slide dump valves I normally close the openings 53, and during the operation above described, remain in closed position. Screws 55, threaded through bosses it on the underside of the valves 54, control the position of said'valves by their rotation in an obvious manner. Should additional pressure be needed on the main, the valves l4 may be opened by rotation of the screw 55, and the full weight of the platform, weights, and all pistons will be exerted downwardly to displace the water incylinders l1 and is of both units A and B. Valves 4 or either of them may be opened regardless of the position of pistons II in the master cylinders l1, thus providing means to meet pressure requirements at any time and on a moments notice.

The number of pistons 21 employed determine a the capacity of the pump units A and B, which may be varied by disengaging certain of the pistons 21 from their hubs 28. The pistons not used may be locked in the lower end of their respective cylinders I. by means of pins 36 to obviate their tendency to float, as water is raised in the cylinders ll in which pistons 21 are reciprocated.

It will be observed that the respective pump units A and B balance one another and when raised each will gravitate 'to the middle of its stroke without the aid of pump 31, and accordingly, the only pressure required to be produced by pump II will be that necessary to raise each piston II halt oi its stroke, while the pistons 21 are effective throughout the entire stroke 01! the respective pistons 2| to pump fluid from the res-.

ervoir to the main through tanks 8 and I.

While I have illustrated and described but one embodiment of my invention. it will be understood that the specific arrangement, as well as size. shape, and proportion, of the various parts of the pump units may be varied; that additional pump units may be utilized, thus increasing, in proportion to the number or additional units, the capacity or the entire pump assembly; that the means for connecting the pistons 21 to platiorm and for locking them in their respective cylinders, is merely illustrative, and susceptible of substitution by other means well known in the art-all without departing from the spirit or my invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device or the character described, a pair oi master cylinders, a master piston in each of said cylinders. a plurality or pump cylinders associated with each master cylinder, a pump piston in each or said pump cylinders releasable, means connecting said pump pistons with respective master piston.

master pistons so as to move therewith, means to releasably connect said pump pistons immovable relative to their cylinders when said pump pistons are released from said first-named means to prevent movement of the pump pistons during reciprocation of said master pistons, an auxiliary pump, valve-controlled conduit means to communicate the outlet end of said auxiliary pump with either of said master cylinders, and valvecontrolled conduit means to selectively communicate said master cylinders with the inlet end of the auxiliary pump.

2. In a device of the character described, a pump unit comprising a tank, inlet and outlet conduits connected to said tank, a series of pumps superposed with relation to said tank and comprising cylinders communicated with said tank, a pump piston in each of said cylinders, a. motor associated with said first-named series of pumps and comprising a master piston connected to said pump pistons of the first-named series of pumps, means to supply fluid to said motor. means to actuate said motor to energize said series of pumps and thereby'move fluid from said inlet conduit into said tank and through said outlet conduit, and a valve controlled means to communicate said motor with the tank to release the fluid in said master cylinder into the tank.

3. In a device of they character described, a pair or pump units each comprising a tank, a series of pumps superposed with relation to each of said tanks, each of said pumps comprising a cylinder, communicated with the tank over which it is disposed, a pump piston in each or said cylinders, a motor in each pump unit comprising an axially vertical master cylinder. and a master piston in each of said last-named cylinders, connected to the pinup pistons ofits respective pump unit, means to actuate said motors comprising a means or communication between the master cylinders to direct the flow or liquid in one thereof to the other. each or said master cylinders having a means of communication with the tanks of the respective pump units of which said cylinders are a part to release the fluid in said master cylinders into the tanks, respectively.

4. In a device or the character described. a motor comprising a master cylinder and a master piston in said cylinder, and a series of pumps associated with said master cylinder and piston, each of said pumps comprising a cylinder and piston. means to releasably connect said lastnamed pistons to said master piston. and releasable means to secure the pistons of each of said pumps against longitudinal movement in its m spective cylinder when disconnected from said MARK HENRY KANARY. 

